The 25th Annual  
House Ear Institute

Family Camp

Save the Date!

June 4 - 6, 2010

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for updates

 
Camp 2008 Photo Album 

2009 Family Camp Weekend
Brings New Friendships and Personal Growth
for Children with Hearing Loss and Their Families
   

 The weekend of June 5 – 7th was filled with fun, friendships and unforgettable learning experiences for the 185 campers and counselors who took part in the House Ear Institute’s 24th annual Sharing is Caring Family Camp at Camp Hess Kramer in Malibu, CA.

Children engaged in a variety of camp activities with other children of similar age, including team sports, arts and crafts, a rhythm workshop, martial arts, rock-climbing and more. Parents took part in workshops presented by a variety of professionals working in the field of education and advocacy for children with hearing loss. The program included the role of parent modeling in helping with a child’s self esteem, navigating the IFSP/IEP process, and preparing a child for future independence beyond the school setting. There also was an emotionally-charged teen panel discussion for parents on growing up with a hearing loss, as well as a group sharing discussion moderated by a licensed family therapist.

 

Often, families dealing with pediatric hearing loss feel alone in what they are going through. The camp helps address these feelings by serving as a safe and relaxing setting for kids and parents to relax and share what they’re going through with others who have similar experiences.

“The biggest benefit I receive from Family Camp every year is the interaction and networking with other parents of deaf children,” said parent Debbie Hurtado. “Mostly, in day-to-day life, a parent feels isolated. This gives me a chance to be in the ‘in crowd’ since we are all struggling with the many issues of raising a deaf child.”

The camp was founded by Dr. Howard House in 1985, recognizing an unmet need to create a supportive opportunity for families to share experiences with others dealing with the many complexities of raising a child who has a hearing loss.

The 2009 camp was generously sponsored by Southern California Edison, Delta Zeta Foundation, Employees Community Fund of Boeing California, The Woods-Claeyssens Foundation, Ann Pepper Foundation, Sketch Foundation and Associates of the House Ear Institute.
 

To learn more about our Family Camp contact Marilee Potthoff:  mpotthoff@hei.org

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                  We thank the following organizations
                     for their support and pledges

Employees Community Fund of Boeing California

The Wood-Claeyssens Foundation